Atleast Five people shot dead outside polling booth in cooch Behar as voting gets underway

April 10, 2021

Mob of 150 attacked troops, polling staff at Cooch Behar booth, 5-6 suffered fatal injuries, says CISF

Four persons were killed as CISF personnel allegedly opened fire after coming under attack from locals, who "attempted to their rifles", in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district on Saturday, hours after an 18-year-old voter was allegedly gunned down by miscreants outside booth number 85 in Pathantuli area of the same district.

The incident involving the CISF took place in Sitalkuchi area when voting was underway, a senior police officer said.

"As per preliminary reports, four persons were killed as CISF personnel opened fire after coming under attack in a village.

"A scuffle took place and locals gheraoed them and attempted to their rifles, following which the central forces opened fire," he said.

Condemning the incident, the Election Commission on Saturday ordered adjournment of polls at polling station number 126 in the Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency of Bengal amid reports of violence.

A spokesperson of the poll panel said the decision was based on an interim report filed by special observers. Detailed reports have been sought from them and the state Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm.

Meanwhile, A first-time voter was allegedly shot dead on Saturday in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, where 33.98 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in the fourth phase of assembly elections amid sporadic incidents of violence, officials said.

Ananda Barman was allegedly gunned down by miscreants outside booth number 85 in Pathantuli area after clashes broke out between activists of the ruling TMC and the BJP.

The culprits, who are yet to be identified, managed to flee, the officials said.